When It Comes to (Breast) Pumping You Can Do It

Every month I go to my local La Leche League meeting and pumping is always a topic that comes up. I am not a lactation consultant or an expert of any kind. I am simply a woman who has done A LOT of pumping. I've done enough that I feel comfortable offering tips and support to other moms who are doing it. And when I say a lot I mean a lot. See the freezer? That is all breastmilk - it took me a little less then a year to get all of that in the freezer. A year that I nursed full time and pumped. This is the third time I have posted that picture on the blog. I like it. I am proud of it. I worked hard to get all of that breast milk in my freezer. 

I will share a few tips in a minute but first I want to talk about the act of pumping itself. I cannot tell you how many times I have heard breastfeeding women say, "Oh I was no good at pumping." or "I just couldn't do it." Now I get that it may be true. That they probably tried pumping once or twice and then realized that just breastfeeding was easier. It is easier. Breastfeeding alone is easier then pumping. However, I want to say here and now no matter who you are YOU CAN DO IT. 

I mean that in a supportive way - not a judgmental way. You might have some trouble. Heck you might have a lot of trouble. Same as some people have trouble breastfeeding. But you can do it. As breastfeeding women we often offer each other lots of advice when it comes to problems or perceived problems. Too much milk? Someone will give you advice. Not enough milk? Someone has been there. Pain, weight gain, doctor advice, etc another breastfeeding mom will tell you what she has done. Pumping tends to shut people down. Inevitably when a woman says that she is struggling to pump and another breastfeeding mom says something to the effect of "well, some women are just not good pumpers." 

I am sure that is true. I am sure that it is harder for some women then others. But it can be done. It can. Just like actual breastfeeding it is a balance. You have to learn to do it the most effectively. You have to work at it. There is a learning curve. But it is possible. I don't mean that to make anyone who has decided that pumping is not for them feel guilty I simply mean that to encourage anyone who is struggling. As for tips on what to do - well, here are a few things I feel that were helpful to me - 

1. Get a good double pump - Being able to pump both breasts at the same time increases milk supply. I never found a hospital grade pump to be necessary but if you feel like you are struggling there is no harm in having one. 

2. Get a decent hand pump - They come in useful. Sometimes for no real reason I found that my breasts would stop responding to my pump but when I got out the hand pump they immediately responded better. Switch off if you are having trouble with the electric. The hand pump also comes in handy if you need to pump on an airplane, at someone else's house or anywhere that you are out and about, really. 

3. Pump after milk stops flowing - If you are looking to increase your supply pump for five minutes after your milk stops flowing. If you are looking to maintain your supply pump for two minutes after your milk stops flowing. DO NOT stopp pumping as soon as the milk stops - that tells your body to produce less. 

4. Drink lots of water - This simply breastfeeding advice but it is important when you are pumping as well. 

5. Pump while nursing - This can be a bit tricky but it can also be useful. Especially if you are having trouble pumping at other times. While your baby is nursing on one side go ahead and hook up the other breast to the pump. This is similar to double pumping in that it helps increase supply. 

6. Hands Free Pumping - Google it and you will find lots of advice on how to do it. They sell special bras for it, they sell little doo-dads, you can find instructions on how to use hair ties, or even an old bra. I like the old bra - you take an old bra and cut holes in it. Then you can slip the pump through that and wa-la hands free pumping. That way you can do it while you do other things. The best way to get an extra pumping session in is to pump while you drive. Just don't get pulled over - you would be uncomfortable I imagine. :) 

7. Do not treat breast milk like formula - Once breast milk is given in a bottle people start counting ounces. DON'T!!! If your baby's belly is full and they are happy, growing and developing then don't worry about the number. If they are getting fewer ounces in that bottle then they would have while nursing they will make up for it later. But really if they nursed at that feeding you would not know that they only ate two or three ounces. So, just relax. If they are still hungry they will let you know. 

8. Have confidence - This is probably the most important thing. I have had every pitfall happen to me while I was pumping. After all, I breastfed a baby full time and pumped for a year and then I exclusively pumped for another year. My supply dipped randomly, my body stopped responding to my pump, etc. But I always hand confidence that it would work out and it did. Lots of times women who have no real need to pump try it and feel like it doesn't work and then they say "I'm just not good at pumping." I'm sure it feels that way to them. And I have to admit - I don't pump at all this time around. I know I could but I have no need and I prefer just nursing. But when a woman says "I just couldn't breastfeed" everyone knows that there were probably things she did not try (side note - yes some women actually don't have enough milk and yes some women really are not able to breastfeed but they are rare). When it comes to pumping everyone is comfortable believing that some women just can't. I say yes you can!!! Be confident. You CAN do it.